Waikato professional Jim Cusdin saved his best for the third round, shooting a six-under par 64, to earn a one shot lead after three rounds of the Carrus Tauranga Open on the Charles Tour.
Cusdin, who opened with rounds of 65 and 70, will have his best chance of winninghis first four-round tournament when he takes a one shot lead into the final round from overnight leader Gareth Paddison and Ryan Fox. In wet and windy conditions, it was an impressive round from Cusdin who has never won on the Charles Tour.
He made the turn in one under but came home strong with five birdies, including three in a row. Cusdin is looking forward to the challenge of taking on a seasoned professional like Paddison in the final round.
"I have put myself in a good position now and I am looking forward to tomorrow; the same as today hopefully," said the 26-year-old who has won a couple of titles in Fiji. "I stayed patient and I hit my driver really well. If you hit your driver well around here, then you have a good chance to score because it is a short course. I played the back nine in five under.
Meanwhile Paddison, who led by three overnight, was disappointed by his one under par 69 as he hunts his second win on the Charles Tour. The left-hander was one under on the outward nine and then came home in even par.
"I am playing brilliantly but could not get the ball in the hole for my life today," said the 31-year-old. "I am disappointed to leave a few shots out there on moving day but there is always tomorrow and I am excited to see what I can do."
Fox, who finished third in the 2010 event, was also impressive in the third round with a four under par 66. He made five birdies and one bogey.
Rookie professional Pieter Zwart is three back from the lead in fourth place after a two under par 68.
The 2009 champion, Michael Hendry, needs to go low today if he is going to go one better than his runner-up finish last year. He had a one under par 69 that included three bogeys and four birdies to be tied seventh.
